“Oh, right.” She looked down at the road and pushed her lips together. “You know, Julian, if you ever want or need a ride, I’d be happy totakeyou.”
“I’mreallyfine.”
“Maybe I could walk a bit with you and keep you company?” she suggested, her eyes trained on theasphalt.
“Sure,” I said even though I didn’t feel like talking. Not right now. “I forgot my headphones at home. It’ll be good to have the company,”Ilied.
“Bummer. Wanna take mine when we part ways? I’ve had them for my entire run. It might be good for me to be with my thoughts for awhile.”
“Nah, I’m good.” We started walking in the direction of the diner. “Is that why you run? Tothink?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes.” She pushed the stray hairs on her face back. “Last night was weird, right? With Gwen andMitch?”
“Yeah, I guess so.” Itwasweird how Gwen had been freaking out. She was normally so easy going. It was hard to reconcile the girl from last night to the girl who was my partner in crimeatwork.
“Hmm. Well, I guess you’ve know her longer than me. I texted her a few times this morning and she hasn’t replied. I just hopeshe’sok.”
“I’m sureshe’sfine.”
“You’re probably right,” she said, soundingunconvinced.
We walked together for a few more minutes attempting awkward conversation. The cooling weather, diner gossip. Eventually it became so uncomfortable the talking stoppedcompletely.
“Well, I guess I better get back to my run,” Katie said, breaking the silence. “Are you sure you don’t want myheadphones?”
“I’m good. It’s not that long ofawalk.”
“Okay,” she said smiling again, even though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ll see youaround,then.”
She ran off in the opposite direction while I continued toward my destination, trying to make sense of the mess that was my lifethesedays.
ChapterFifteen
Katie
When I gothome from the most awkward run in the existence of man, I was happy to see Gwen had finally messaged me back. Aboutfreakingtime.
Gwen: Hey, sorry I’ve been MIA. Coffee?Hertextread.
Me: YESS! I’ve only been calling and texting allmorning.
Gwen: Meet me at Beans & Things? MYTREAT.
Me: LOL. Fine. Seeyousoon.
I set my phone down and got ready inrecordtime.
My hair was still wet, my face completely bare of makeup. I didn’t want to waste time getting ready. I just wanted to know what wasgoingon.
When I got to the coffee shop that had quickly become mine and Gwen’s place, she was already there with two cups on thetable.
“Hey,” I said, as I approached the table. She’d been staring off in space when I arrived and didn’t notice me walk in. Her coffee sat untouched in front of her, which was highlyunusual.
“Hey,” she responded, looking up. Her voice lacked the normal cheerfulness I had come to expect from myfriend.
“What in the world is going on?” I asked, as I sat down. I took my cue from Gwen and also left my drink untouched in frontofme.
“Mitch and I had a big fight last night,” she said, not looking up from thetable.
